Dear Northern Families,

Congratulations on getting through the first 3 days of exams. 72 hours of hard work and everyone should be all set!

SAC merchandise should be arriving this coming week. Distribution plans will be shared when it arrives.

The board is aware of the potential snowstorm Sunday/ Monday. Northern’s exams start at 10am which allows for lots of travel time. If schools are forced to close Monday, the exam will be moved to Tuesday at 10am. A reminder that normal exam procedures (medical notes required for missed exams) will apply in all circumstances, so be sure to study appropriately!

Please take some time to look through our Exam ReadiNSS site for information and resources.  More information will be added as exams approach – including some in person exam preparation sessions. For more information about the end of semester in high school see this Exam and Course Culminating Fact Sheet.

School Absences: Family vacations are not considered a legitimate absence. Every effort should be made to avoid scheduling family vacations during school time. Holiday dates are published in the agenda book and on the TDSB website, http://www.tdsb.on.ca. In the event of a missed evaluation due to a family vacation, teachers are not required to provide an alternative form of evaluation. In the case of examinations, no make-up exam or alternative arrangements will be made.

The student calendar can be found here: 2025-2026 Northern School Calendar .  Any additions made will be highlighted for a two week period throughout the year. Also see the creed and holy day calendar for your reference (non-board calendar).

The student handbook can be found here: Student Handbook

 

Things to Know for next week:

January 26- Last Day of Exams

January 27- Medical Made-Up Day/ Credit Rescue (by invitation)

January 28- Exam Review Day (come look over graded exams):

Period 1- 9:00-9:40

Period 2- 9:45-10:20

Period 3- 10:25-11:00

Period 4- 11:05-11:40

Students return home

PM- Credit Rescue by teacher invitation only.

January 29- PD Day (no school)

January 30- Semester 2 begins

 

Exams and Culminating Activities:

Congratulations to students on making it through the first three days of exams!

You can find information about the culminating activities and final exams for each course here (organized by grade) here: NSS Culminating and Final Exam Information Sem 1 2025-2026

You can find a detailed exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 1 2025-26

The schedule follows this format:

Students will follow their Day 1 schedule as follows for exams:

Monday, January 26 - Period 4 Exam

298. exams will begin at 10:00 am.  Exam duration will vary by subject/year.  Looking ahead, students should make sure they eat a good breakfast as they will eat a “late” lunch on these days once exams are over (late relative to our usual 11:40 am lunchtime). Students do not have to remain at school after their exam. Only students who are writing exams need to attend school on exam days.

Students who are ABSENT from an exam will have their parent/guardian called by the office. Students will not be admitted to an exam after 11 am.

Please take some time to look through our Exam ReadiNSS site for information and resources.  More information will be added as exams approach – including some in person exam preparation sessions provided by our student services and special education departments.

For the Exams, please note the following:

· There are no electronic devices allowed in the exam room. Any student found using cell phones, iPods, smart watches, etc. will be deemed as cheating. This could result in a grade of zero on the exam.

· There is no access to lockers during exams. Students may only access lockers before or after exams.

· All coats, school bags, and notes must be placed at the front of the room.

· There are no opportunities for breaks during the exam.

· Please encourage your student to use the washroom before the exam begins to avoid needing the washroom during the exam.

CULMINATING TASKS AND EXAMS

Culminating activities and examinations carry the same importance and the same attendance requirement. Thus, attendance during culminating activities is mandatory. Some courses have culminating activities that take place over several days. Thus, attendance during culminating activities/summative evaluations is mandatory. A culminating activity is the final evaluation in each course which is worth 30% of the final mark. “This evaluation will be based on evidence from one or a combination of the following: an examination, a performance, an essay and/or another method of evaluation suitable to the course content” (p.41-Growing Success). Students who miss culminating activities or summative evaluations will be given a mark of zero for the portion missed with no opportunity to make up the missed work unless there is an extenuating and documented circumstance, such as a medical situation, court date, funeral etc. It is absolutely crucial that students do not miss any time during the end of a semester. Under Ministry of Education and TDSB regulations, there can be no accommodations made for students who miss the 30% culminating activities and summative evaluations at the end of a semester for personal reasons such as vacation or work. Students and parents should be aware that scheduled vacations at this time can significantly impact student achievement. With the exception of a medical emergency, all summative tests and assignments that are missed as a result of these absences will be assigned a mark of zero.

 

Semester 2 Student Timetables

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, students and families will receive an email with their finalized semester 2 timetable.

 

Special Education & Inclusion Update

For families, the Navigator team is sharing the February Parent Engagement flyer (Supporting School Transitions). Please see the attached flyer .

Session Highlights:

• Explore key transitions: starting school, changing grades/programs, and planning for life after school

• Learn why transitions matter for confidence, independence, and well- being

• Discover how schools and families can work together
• Get practical strategies to help your child feel prepared and supported

 

Grad Photos:

Attention Graduates! We will hold our final graduation photo session at Northern starting February 9^th in the Heritage Room (114). Come and celebrate this huge achievement! Book your session using the link below:

https://booking.edgeimaging.ca/portal/book/NEH

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

STEM Alumni Panel

The STEM Alumni Panel will be happening on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from 5:30–8:30 PM. This year, the panel will feature 10–15 Northern alumni currently pursuing careers in STEM related fields. Alumni will represent areas such as health sciences, medical sciences, engineering, and computer science. Students and families will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with the speakers following the panel. Everyone is welcome at the event. Please let us know if you're planning on coming by filling out this form.

 

Upcoming Changes to Student Email Accounts:

To enhance student privacy, the TDSB will update secondary student accounts (email addresses) by removing personal names and simplifying the format.

The new account format (email address) of secondary students will change:

From: [email protected]
To: student#@tdsb.ca

For example: [email protected] to [email protected]

The update will take place from 4:00PM Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8. During this time, students will not have access to their accounts, including Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Classroom, etc) Brightspace, Office 365 and other digital tools (the Virtual Library will be available).

Access to these tools will be restored in the following order: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Brightspace, and then all remaining applications and tools beginning Sunday, February 8.

The Student# refers to the nine-digit TDSB student ID used by students to access the TDSB Connects app and login to Windows workstations (not the OEN).

Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions An email will be coming directly from the board as well.

Important notes:

• Passwords: Student passwords will remain the same.
• Old email address: Students will continue to receive emails sent to their [email protected] email address - no action required.
• Chromebooks:
  • The new email address will be required to log into a Chromebook.
  • Files stored in the download folder or desktop will not be transferred and will need to be uploaded to Google Drive or OneDrive ahead of time.
• Google Drive/Adobe Cloud/Canva: No impact to student content.
• Brightspace/Google Classroom: No impact to class rosters, course content, student assignment submissions.
• Microsoft OneDrive: No impact to student content, files shared from Microsoft OneDrive will need to be reshared by the student.
• ArcGIS: Students are required to download and save their ArcGIS items before the update, otherwise their content will be permanently lost.
• Read & Write for Chrome: user preferences/settings will need to be re-applied.
• Generic accounts: will be updated with the @tdsb.ca domain. For example [email protected] will be updated to [email protected].

 

Setting Up a PIN for Reporting Student Absences

Setting up a PIN would ensure that your child’s absences are reported accurately. Families are strongly encouraged to set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by following these instructions. Download the SchoolMessenger App from the Google Play or Apple App Store or via the website: go.schoolmessenger.ca. When registering, be sure to use your email account linked to our Student Information System.

 

Northern Food Program:

If you would like to donate to our Snack/Lunch Program:

To donate please use the link below:

https://tfss.ca/donate/schoolsites-snp/

Select Northern Secondary School so your donation helps the students here at Northern!

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

 

Northern Semester 1 Final Exams and Culminating Activities FINAL

Semester 1 final exams take place on:

Monday, January 26 Period 4 Classes

Classroom teachers will share detailed information about Culminating Activates and Final Exams with students.

Please find FINAL information about culminating activities here: NSS Culminating and Final Exam Information Sem 1 2025-2026

Please find a FINAL version of our exam schedule here: NSS Exam Schedule - Semester 1 2025-26

Please review the information posted in the Bulletin about family holidays and absences during exam times.

 

School Council:

Grade 9 Parents and Caregivers Social - Saturday January 24 2026. Who doesn’t enjoy a good sociable to ease the jitters that come with making the transition to a new community environment more engaging for all. Join us at Daphne’s Antioch Café (620 Mt. Pleasant Rd) at 9 am.

Virtual Masterclass: Reclaiming Childhood: Smart Strategies for Managing Screen Time - Thurs Jan 29th at 7PM - Zoom Webinar

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1-Ayx_bSSceHV1RDivUuoA#/registration

Caring and Safe Schools Meeting - Wednesday February 4th at 4PM in the Heritage Room at Northern School. This is a great opportunity to discuss safety issues with staff, student reps, and potentially other families. .Staying Connected to the NSS Council and Community. Stay informed with School Council updates to support your student's academic success.

To receive news "for parents, by parents," email: [email protected] with the subject line “Count me in.”

Visit our website at: nsscouncil.com . Follow us on Instagram: @nss_council. If you have ideas, questions, or would like to get involved in the work of the School Council, email us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

 

The Northern Secondary School Foundation

Northern Alumni In the News

Congratulations to

Catherine V. Weiler, NSS’98 Crown Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario in Toronto, recently appointed a Judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario.

Sandro Rosta, for his journey from the Oxford School of Drama to Star Trek: StarFleet Academy in the role of Caleb Mir a rebellious cadet.

Dean Kneider NSS’90 CEO Hallor Group in BC for his visionary leadership of a company that produces a Canadian manufactured all-electric Ground Support vehicles.

Welcome back to Toronto Dr Kim Le NSS’01 from a leading position in a New York City hospital. Kim organized the first Terry Fox Run at Northern. A Cataract Surgeon and Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Dr Le joins the Herzig Eye Institute.

To read more about Northern Alumni go to nssf.ca/stories and join us on instagram @northernssfoundation.

 

Guidance:

1. Ontario College Applications for Equal Considerations: Due February 1, 2026
2. Course Selection Look Ahead: Save the Dates for NSS Course Selection

It’s already that time of year!

SAVE THE DATE:

Thurs. Feb 5, 2026, 6pm – 7pm – Virtual Evening Course Selection Presentation

– link TBA

Mon. Feb 2, 2026 – myBlueprint Opens for Students

Tues. Feb 3, 2026 – grade 9 to 10 Course Selection Presentation (block A)

Wed. Feb 4, 2026 – grade 10 to 11 Course Selection Presentation (block B)

Thurs. Feb 5, 2026 – grade 11 to 12 Course Selection Presentation (block A)

Fri. February 6, 2026 – grade 12 Course Selection Presentation (block B)

Fri. Feb 6, 2026 – Course Selection Fair - EXTENTED LUNCH

Wed. Feb 25, 2026 – myBlueprint Course Selections Due

3. September 2026 Specialised OYAP (TDSB Apprenticeship) Due February 2, 2026

For more info click here.

4. NSS Mental Wellness Theme: January’s Wellness theme is Standing Strong!

This week we spoke about The Biology of Courage and saying “I am Excited!” instead of I can’t do it!

THE WHY OF IT: By saying “I’m excited” when you are nervous, scared or anxious (like before a test), you are getting yourself out of a threat mindset and into an opportunity mindset. Check out this video!

And P.S. it works!!

5. 2025-2026 Scholarship Update: Northern has subscribed to the Seeking Scholarships Report, which has fantastic information and resources for students on available scholarships, financial aid, and application tips. Northern students and families can access the December Newsletter update which is now posted on the website.

For access to The Scholarship Report Library, please follow the instructions below:

Login here. Click on the LOGIN tab.

Password: SEPTSCHOLAR25

Click 'Dashboard' and then click on the TSR Newsletters

This resource is copyrighted and should not be shared outside the NSS Community.

6. It's time for Grade 12 students to begin planning out which scholarships they would like to apply for!

Many major university scholarships have deadlines in Semester 1 or early Semester 2, and some require a Northern nomination. The following link is a general list of scholarships, including ones that require an NSS nomination: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ELN7YYaXVtQSYNHeL2n5t_yF8wTzO5WlVJUgyii1MM8/edit?usp=sharing

A webinar from Seeking Scholarships for Grade 12 Students, Funding Postsecondary Education (40:34), has been posted. There is also a Handout providing links to resources mentioned in the workshop.

To access the webinar, login to The Scholarship Report Library as usual: Click here. Password: SEPTSCHOLAR25. When you're in the Library, click on the Webinars category and enter this Password to view the webinars: FUNDING2526

7. SEE U of T: SEE U of T is an access program and collaboration between the University of Toronto (Scarborough or St. George) and the TDSB. The aim of the program is to encourage students who come from communities historically underrepresented at U of T and post-secondary institutions, to view post-secondary education as a viable destination. See U of T is a program for students to immerse themselves in university studies, leadership development, and campus life over two semesters, in Grade 11 and 12.

You can find the presentation for each campus below:

SEE U of T – Scarborough

SEE U of T – St. George

8. The NSS Thrive Guide is a tool created and shared with classes to help students think about how they are participating in high school WITH INTENTION. Any questions, please speak to your guidance counsellor!
9. Student Services Google Classrooms: Want info updated info about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, post-secondary visits, etc.? Students, please ensure you are registered in your grade’s Student Services Google Classroom. This is where we share all our important information throughout the year.
   1. Grade 9 Google Classroom code: 3wvfe4kf
   2. Grade 10 Google Classroom code: bedkqks
   3. Grade 11 Google Classroom code: x6sh4ue
   4. Grade 12 Google Classroom code: 4ixv2jl

Booking a Guidance Appointment: Students can BOOK directly and/or REQUEST an appointment with their Guidance Counsellor or our Student Success teachers through our GuidanceInterview platform.

Link: https://guidanceinterview.com/s/nss

Username: Student Number

Password: YYYY-MM-DD (date of birth)

2025-2026 Guidance Counsellors by Last Name Alpha:

[email protected], X20046, Alpha Last Names: A, E, F, I, P

[email protected], X 20041, Alpha Last Names: B, C

[email protected], X 20042, Alpha Last Names: D, G, J, T, Z

[email protected], X 20045, Alpha Last Names: H, K, L

[email protected], X 20043, Alpha Last Names: M, N, O, Q, R

[email protected], X 20044, Alpha Last Names: S, U, V, W, X, Y

Mental Wellness Resource Document

If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

 

Stay warm, and have a great weekend!

Adam Marshall- Principal